Why Basketball Runs in the Family

A new WSJ study finds 48.8% of players are related to an elite athlete—that number is 17.5% for the NFL and 14.5% for MLB

More than any other professional sport, NBA basketball is a family business. For evidence, look no further than the reigning champion Golden State Warriors.

The father of two-time MVP Stephen Curry, Dell, played in the NBA for 16 seasons as an expert outside shooter. His brother, Seth, plays for the Sacramento Kings. Curry’s backcourt mate Klay Thompson is the son of Mychal Thompson, a former No. 1 draft pick of the Trail Blazers and two-time NBA champion. Warriors guard Brandon Rush has two brothers—JaRon and Kareem—who played in the NBA. Forwards Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala both had brothers play in college. And guard Shaun Livingston’s uncle played pro basketball in Germany.

This web of familial relationships is hardly unique to Golden State. In fact, it exists on every single NBA team, with athletic bloodlines that aren’t just limited to basketball.